ALCOHOLICS
S1R,—The 252 Hospitals listed in the current list of out-patient clinics available in Greater London alone run between them 2,257 clinics for every form of sickness except alcoholism. Alone of patients, well over 100,000 alcoholics and their dependents stand unbefriended by the State and its Health Ser- vice. In the whole country there is not one clinic specifically devoted to their needs.
As a nation we still have to learn that alcoholism is not incurable and that reclaiming the alcoholic is one of the most rewarding tasks in medicine. However, apart from pri- vate endeavours, nothing is done for him. The Inebriates Act is defunct and Inebriates' Homes have dwindled to a single one.
The Society for the Study of Addiction, established in 1884, and Alcoholics Anony- mous do what they can, but are unable to 'shoulder the burden alone. The powers that be do not listen to our appeal for even one out-patient clinic for alcoholics to be provided in this city of eight million people.
More often than not, the alcoholic is a decent, likeable man who is worthy of help. Alcoholics have their susceptibilities and diffi- dences as have other patients. It is only fair that they and their relatives should know where to turn for confidential treatment and advice and that they should be able to find a clinic specifically devoted to their needs, as is provided for every other form of sickness.— Yours faithfully,
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